Vapor or steam generator



Aug. 20, 1929.

C. R. MOORE VAPOR OR STEAM- GENERATOR Filed Feb. 28, 1928 INVENTOR. 0948M; 1e. fi00 f BY 7 f 4TT NEY I Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES CHARLES R. MOORE, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK.

VAPOR OR STEAM GENERATOR.

Application filed February 28, 1928.

My invention relates generally to steam generators and particularly to that type especially adaptable for use as a heating plant, either for centrally located boilers for furnishing steam to a plurality of radiation points, or as a single space heater,although it will be understood that it may likewise be used for power, if desired.

My invention is particularly adaptable as a heating plant wherein gas or oil as a fuel is used, but here again I wish it understood ghaf the generator is not limited as regards More specifically, my invention pertains to a steam generator employing a plurality of individual units surrounded by a shell or reservoir and wherein automatic circulation of the water and steam through the unit is compelled by my novel construction.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a generator of the character described comprising a series of units each one of which is a distinct and independent generator in itself and consisting of first a water passage to the outside of, around and through which the heat is applied, this passage communicating with a second section of the unit wherein the steam and water from the first section of the unit is broken into fine particles and sprayed against the outside of heated elements and the steam thus generated discharged into the outer shell or reservoir from which it is drawn for heating or other purposes.

Another object of my invention is to provide a generator of the class described, the independent units of which may be readily removed from the apparatus or rendered inoperative, without interfering in any way with the operation of the other units.

Still another object of my invention is to provide such a generator which may be readily enlarged or reduced in size as regards the number of units employed without modification of any of the parts thereof.

A still further object of my invention is to provide means in each of the generator units whereby the heat ordinarily wasted in the types of generators now known is utilized to the fullest extent by secondary application to the water and steam circulating through the units.

A further object lies in the provision of means for retarding the rapid circulation of Serial No. 257,711.

the water and steam at one or more points in the units and at such points breaking the same into very fine particles and spraying it outwardly against parts heated by the heat from the burners at the points most remote from the burners and just prior to the escape of the fuel gases to the flue.

Still another object lies in the provision of bafiie means at the upper ends of said units for retarding the heat in its rapid passage to the flue whereby a maximum utilization thereof is made at the points remote from the burners and at which points the water and steam is broken into fine particles.

Other objects and advantages in details of construction and operation will be apparent as the description. proceeds, reference now being had to the figures of the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a side view in section of my improved generator, showing one of the generator units in cooperation with the Water reservoir or outer shell, certain parts being broken away for clearne'ss of illustration.

Figure 2 is a plan view of my generator, partly in section illustrating one arrangement of the generator unit-s.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail plan view in cross section similar to Figure 2 and illustrating a modified form of shell or water and steam reservoir.

Figure 5 is a detail cross section of the heat bafiie.

It is well known that conditions differ greatly in the use of gas or oil fired boilers and those fired by coal or solid fuels. In the case of the latter, the temperature of the boiler of course remains somewhat uniform as long as the fire box is not clogged with clinkers, ashes, etc. or unless the draft is greatly affected by weather conditions. In the case of oil or gas fired boilers, however, the maximum amount of heat is turned on full head at once when the burner is lighted and when the steam regulator or thermostat control, common in the art, operates to turn it oif, the heat is at once completely out off. I have taken advantage of this intermittent firing condition to provide for a quickly operating automatic circulation steam generator which I will now describe in some detail.

I have illustrated my invention by show ing the use of water tubes for the water circulation and of fire tubes for the heat C11- culation as this is a simple and practical form of showing the principle of my invention, and I may add, a form which has proven very efficient and satisfactory in actual practice. I wish it clearly understood, how ever, that I do not limit myself to the use of tubes for these purposes, for it Will be obvious as the description proceeds, that coils, castings, or any other means for water and heat circulation may be employed instead of tubes, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I have indicated the outer shell or reservoir generally by the reference character and in the preferred construction, this shell comprises a series of hollow sections 2, closed at top and bottom and each section communicating with the adjacent one by means of nipples 8 in alignment with each other, these nipples being positioned at points ad acent the upper and lower ends of the sectlons 2. End sections a and 5 are provided as shown clearly in figure 2, and tie rods 6 are adapted to pass through the sections and by means of the nuts 7 securely hold the sec.

sions 8 serving as legs or supports for the sections.

It will be clear from this construction that my outer shell orreservoir is sectional, whereby it may be increased or reduced in size by the addition or reduction of the number of sections employed.

At this point, I would call attention however, to the construction shown in Figure 4: which illustrates a modified type of outer shell or reservoir of one piece construction indicated by the reference character 8. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such type of shell or reservoir is also adaptable to my improved generator.

Removably mounted within the confines of the shell or reservoir is aplurality of generator units which I have indicated generally by the reference character 9. These generator units in their combination with the outer shell form the important part of this invention and consist of two sections, a lower section and upper section removably secured together in any suitable manner as by the nipple 10. The lower section of each of these units 9 comprises upper and lower headers 11 and 12 respectively, these headers being hollow and of any desired shape or form. W'ater tubes 13 extend between these headers 11 and 12 and open at either end into the same. A suitable water connection 1 1- extends between the lower header 12 of each unit and the shell or reservoir 2 providing communication between this reservoir and the water tubes 13. This connection 14; is preferably a threaded nipple which may be readily removed to permit the removal of the unit from the shell. Obviously from this construction, water will pass freely from the outer shell or reservoir into the lower header 12 and rise in the tubes 13 and into the upper header 11, the normal water level being preferably at about the bottom of the upper header 11.

Detachably secured by means of the connection 10, to the upper header 11 of the lower section is the upper section of the unit consisting of a closed housing 15 through which passfire or heat tubes 16 open at both ends, the ends of these tubes 16 being so secured in the top and bottom walls of the housing 15 as to provide water tight connections. If desired, as shown clearly in Figures 4 and 5, baffles 1G may be inserted in the upper ends of the tubes 16 to reduce the opening therethrough and thus retard the rapid passage of the heat to the flue.

ltemovably secured at its lower end within the nipple connection between these sections is a sprayer pipe 19 which of course may be of any desired configuration and size, and which in this instance is a pipe projecting upwardly to a point adjacent the top of the upper section and provided with a plurality of small openings .20 for a purpose to be described.

An opening is provided in the top of the upper section 15 of the unit through which the steam generated in the unit in a manner to be described, may pass through the pipe 17 communicating at one end with said opening and at its opposite end with the top of the adjacent section 2 of the outer shell or reservoir. This is shown clearly in Figure 1. Obviously this steam pipe 17 may if desired communicate with a steam header or drum of common use, instead of directly with said reservoir.

Burners 18 of any desired or satisfactory type, either oil or gas, are provided beneath the lower sections of the units in such position that the heat from these burners passe-s upwardly through and around the headers 1 and 12 andthe water tubes 13. These fire and water tubes 13 and 16 are preferably very sensitive to heat, being made preferably of copper, with the result that almos instantaneously with the lighting of the burners 18, the water in the tubes 13 and headers 11 and 12 is heated to a high temperature, quickly boiling, and, under the influence of the heat, rising in the tubes through the header 11 into the sprayer pipe 19. The water and water laden steam which thus enters the sprayer pipe 19 by means of the perforations 20 in the sprayer pipe is broken up into very fine particles and, still under the influence of the heat from the burners 18, forced outwardly through such perforations againstthe outer surface of the fire or heat tubes 16 in the upper section 15. It will be understood, of course, that as the heat from the burners 18 passes upwardly through and around the lower section of the unit, and on through the tubes 16 of the upper section, it will lose its intensity and energy and consequently the breaking up in the manner just described of the steam and water around these fire tubes 16 makes possible a greater utilization of the remaining energy in the heat as it passes on its way to the flue. In other words, by my construction, I utilize the diminishing energy of the heat to the limit by applying that heat to finely divided and broken particles of the water and steam. The result of this, of course, is in effect to superheat the water and converted steam before it passes through the pipe 17 back into the top of the outer shell or reservoir 2. It has been found by practical experience with this type of generator that the steam passing through this pipe 17 is drier by many degrees than from the ordinary type of steam generator.

It will be further noted that by this construction, particularly by the use of the sprayer pipe 19, the upper end of which is closed except for the small perforations 20, the water and steam passing upwardly into said sprayer pipe is retarded slightly in its circulation and, so to speak, held in suspension at the point at which the super-heating action takes place. This renders more effective the dwindling energy of the heat passing through the tubes 16 to the flue.

At one end of the outershell or reservoir 2, as for instance, in the piece 5 shown in Figure 2, an out-let 21 is provided adjacent the tube through which the dry steam may be taken off and carried to any desired point of radiation or for the application of power if desired. This is illustrated also in Figure 3 and it will be observed that at this point of take off av bafile 22 is provided for the usual purpose. The steam passing down wardly into the upper end of the shell 2 from the pipe 17 passes out through this take off or back down-into the shell where it is condensed and again fed into the lower header 12 of the generator unit through the connection let as before described, thus completing its circulation through the device. It will be noted also that this circulation is maintained during the operation of the burners 18 by virtue of the heated water rising through the units, such rising causing a downward suction on the water in the shell 2 for feeding the units. Naturally also, some of the steam which passes through the pipe 17 will be moisture laden and heavy and such will of course fall directly down wardly in the shell to the normal water line thereof. It may be desirable, however, in some instances to provide an additional water outlet or drain from the upper section of the generator unit back into the outer shell or reservoir. The desirability of such an auxiliary outlet or drain is more emphasized in generators of this type where the heat is applied and cut off intermittently due to the fact that when the heat from the burners 18 is cut off entirely, the steam in the upper section 15 of the unit condenses rapidly and it is of course desirable that this condensed steam should be drawn off promptly and returned to the outer shell or reservoir without making it necessary to again heat it in the upper sect-ion to the point of converting it back to steam and forcing it out through the pipe 17. To take care of this condition I may provide adjacent the lower end of each upper section 15 of the units a return pipe 22 which may pass either directly from the housing 15 into the shell 2, or as shown in Figure 1, may pass through a hollow stay bolt 23 and back into the shell 2 from the outside thereof. This hollow stay bolt 23 is preferably considerably larger than the pipe 22 in order to permit expansion and contraction of the parts without interference with the operation thereof. Furthermore, this hollow stay bolt 23 tends to reinforce the shell units providing additional strength thereto.

An inlet pipe 24 is provided adjacent the bottom of the shell 2, and of course the usual return pipe from the radiators may be run into said shell.

It will be understood of course that the return pipe 22 may be readily removed from the upper section 15 of the units if desired.

Although I have described in detail one of the units which I utilize in this generator, it will be understood that they are all duplicates' of one another, and it will be clear from figures 2 and 3 that as many of these units as desired may be placed within the shell or reservoir 2. Obviously also, if any single unit should for any reason fail to operate properly, it may be removed from its position within the shell by simply disconnecting the pipe 17, th nipple l4, and in the event of the use of the return pipe 22, this pipe, whereupon the entire unit may be lifted from the shell for cleaning or repair, it being merely necessary to plug the openings communicating with the shell at these points to render the generator as a whole fully operative without the assistance of the faulty unit. Furthermore, under certain conditions and circumstances, it may be de sirable to operate only a part of the units of a complete generator and due to the fact that these units are entirely independent of each other, any one or more of them may be readily disconnected without interference with the operation of the retaining units.

Although I have shown these generator units placed side to side to form a single generator, it will be clear that in additlon to the units shown, others may be positioned end to end with these and thus enlarge the capacity of the generator. In such event, it will be necessary only to enlarge the outer shell or reservoir to accommodate the additional units.

A removable hood 25 is of course provided to cover the upper ends of the units, this hood communicating with the flue, to carry off the products of combustion from the burners 18.

. t will be understood of course that the control of the burners may be by the pressure of the steam passing through the take off 21 or by thermostatic means as desired.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have provided a steam generator, the circulation of the water and steam through which is entirely automatic without the necessity of external force such as pumps, etc., and which because of its sensitiveness due to the unit construction and the breaking up of the water and steam to utilize the greatest amount of heat energy, produces a drier steam per heat unit than heretofore possible, and with the least waste of either water or fuel. In addition, I have provided a generator which mechanically is simple in construction and assembly, easy of operation, and inexpensive to manufacture. Of course, many changes may be made in details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of my invention. I do not limit myself, therefore, to the exact form herein shown and described other than by the appended claims.

I claim 1. A steam generator including a shell or reservoir and a plurality of independent generator units communicating therewith, said units each comprising an upper and lower section, the lower section having a water passage communicating with said upper section and the latter having heat passages therethrough, and means for passing heat upwardly around said lower section and through said upper section.

2. A steam generator including a shell or reservoir and a plurality of independent generator units communicating therewith, said units each comprising an upper and lower section, the lower section having a water passage communicating with said upper sec tion and the latter having heat passages therethrough, and means for passing heat upwardly around said lower section and through said upper section, and a spray member through which the water and steam passes from said lower section into said upper section.

3. A steam generator including a shell or reservoir and a plurality of independent generator units communicating therewith, said units each comprising an upper and lower section, the lower section having a water passage communicating with said upper section and the latter having heat passages therethrough, and means for passing heat upwardly around said lower section and through said upper section, and a spray member through which the water and steam passes'from said lower section into said upper section, said spray being provided with small perforations substantially throughout its length, whereby the steam and water passing therethrough is broken into fine particles before entering said section.

4:. A steam generator unit comprising a first and second section joined together by a hollow passage, a water passage through said first section communicating with said hollow passage, said second section comprising a closed housing having heat passages therethrough, and means in said second section communicating with said hollow passage for spraying water and steam from said first section against the outer surface of said heat passages in finely divided particles, a reservoir communicating with both of said sec tions, and means for applying heat to said sections whereby automatic circulation is established through said sections and said reservoir.

5. A steam generator including a plurality of independent units each comprising an upper and lower section, said lower section having a water passage discharging into said upper section through a spray, said up per section comprising a housing having heat passages therethrough, a reservoir surrounding said units, independent passages between both sections of each unit and said reservoir, and means for heating said sections whereby automatic circulation is established between said units and said reservoir.

Y 6. A steam generator including a plurality of independent units each comprising an upper and lower section, said lower section having a water passage discharging into said upper section through a spray, said upper section comprising a housing having heat passages therethrough, a reservoir surrounding said units, independent passages between both sections of each unit and said reservoir, and means for heating said sections whereby automatic circulation is established between said units and said reservoir, said units being individually removable from said reservoir without interference with each other.

7 A steam generator including a reservoir and a generator unit comprising a lower sec iii) tion having a water passage communicating with said reservoir and opening into a closed upper section provided with heat passages therethrough, a steam passage between the upper portion of said upper section and said reservoir, and a return passage between the lower portion of said upper section and said reservoir.

8. A steam generator unit including upper and lower sections, said lower section comprising spaced hollowed headers, sensitive water tubes extending between and opening into said headers, the lower header communicating with a reservoir, said upper section comprising a closed housing communicating with said upper header, a finely perforated spray pipe closing said communication and extending upwardly into said second section, sensitive heat tubes passing through said upper section, a steam passage between said upper section and said reservoir, and heating means below said lower section for heating the outside of said water tubes and the inside of said heat tubes.

9. A steam generator unit including upper and lower sections, said lower section comprising spaced hollow headers, sensitive water tubes extending between and opening into said headers, the lower header communicating with a reservoir, said upper section comprising a closed housing communicatin with said upper header, a finely perforatec l spray pipe closing said communication and extending upwardly into said second section, sensitive heat tubes passing through said upper section, a steam passage between said upper section and said reservoir, and heating means below said lower section for heating the outside of said water tubes and the inside of said heat tubes, and a return pipe between the lower end of said upper section and said reservoir.

CHARLES R. MOORE. 

